The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-10
CHAPTER I.

rev
years afterwards. BY the annexation the area
VI the Republic was increased by some 81 900
square miles, But the star of Florida shines
with second-rate brilliancy in that constellation
OF thirty-eisht which spanele the banner of the
United States of America
FLORIDA seems to be a country apart, with its
peopie half Spaniards, half Americans and its
seminole Indians. SO different 70 their ongeners
IN the West In the South it is arid, sandy, al
most entirely bordered by sand-hills formed by
successive irruptions of the Atlantic; but in the
North its plains are of marvellous fertility. Its
name is justified to the letter The fora is su-
peru, vigorous and of exuberant variety more
especlaily In that portion watered by the St.
Johns This river is broad stream flowing
from south 80 NORTH over a cAurse of some two
hundred and fifty miles, of which one hundred
ana seventeen, up to Lake George, are nayiga-
BILE.
IL was the 9TH of February, 1862. The steam
BOAT Shannon was running down the st. Johns.
AT 4 o'clock in the afternoon she was due at
Picolata
On the pier at Picolata there are to-day many
more travellers than usual. Some stages. each
seating eight persons, drawn by four or six
mules, galloping like mad along the road across
tine. 1t was important for them not to miss
the steamboat; to do SO would be to risk delay
of at least forty sight hours in getting back to
the towns and villages down the river. For the
Shannon made only one passage up down
each day. and she was the only means of trans
port 1t was therefore necessary to be at Pico-
lata when she called; and sthe vehicles had un-
loaded their passengers an hour before she was
due.
There were about fifty men on the cangway at
Picolata. While they waited they were talking
excitedly.
The Shannon soon appeared at the bend of the
right bank half a mile above Picolata. Thick
clouds of smoke escaped from her two tunnels
and crowned the large trees which the sea breeze
was shaking on the opposite bank. The moving
grew larger rapidly. The tide had just
turr d. and the current, which for three or four
hours had been against her, was now in her
favor and taking the waters of the st. Johns
towards the sea.
At length the bell was heard. The wheels 60
ing astern stopped the Shannon, and her haw-
sers brought her alongside the pier.
The passengers went on board somewhat
hastily. One of the groups went first: the other
did not move 1t looked as though they were
several
chance OF being late Two or three went
up the pier to the place where the road from st.
Augustine came in; and they looked towards the
east, evidently with impatience.
And not without reason, for the captain of
the Shannon, who was on the bridge, shouted to
them:
Now, theni come or!'
'In minute or two" answered one of the
way. se-a 3a-9,-a
81 can't wait, gentlemen"
"a few minutes"
mo! not onel"
"Only moment
Impossible! The tide is running ont, and I
may have water over the bar at Jackson
ville'
''And besides" said one of those on board
"there is no reason why we should put up with
their fancies."
THAT is what think Mr.. Burbank, said the
captain. DUTY first. Now, then, gentlemen,
come on board; am off,"
And the sailors began to push away the steam
boat from the pier. while sonorus jets escaped
from the steam whistle. A shout stopped the
maneuver.
There is Texar There is Texar!"
A carriage came rafting along at full speed
and dashed round the turning up to the pier
The four mules, which formed the team, stopped
at the gate. got down. Those of his
companions who had gone up the road rejoined
him at a run. Then all of them went on board
the boat
"a moment more, Texar, and you could not
have gone. That would have been awkward for
you,r said one of the group.
s.Yesl It would have been two days before
YOU got back to-whereY-we shall know when
YOU choose to tell us!" added another.
.And if the captain had listened to that ras-
cal Burbank" said third, 'the Shannon would
have been quarter of mile down stream by
now"
Texar had just stepped to the fore deck
house, accompanied by his friends. He con-
tented himself with look at James Burbank
from where he was, only separated by the
bridge. Although he said not word, the look
he gave him was sufficient to show the implaca-
bile hatred that existed between the two men.
Burbank looked Texar straight in the face
tnrned his back on him, and went to sit on the
after deck house. where his friends had already
seated themselves
Burbank is not happy!' said one of Texar's
companions. '.And NO wonder! He lost by his
lies and the recorder did justice to his false
witness"
"But not to his body" interrupted Texar,
land that justice I will undertake"
The Shannon had Stacked off the hawsers
Her bow, pushed off by the long poles. took the
line of the current, and driven by her powerful
wheels, helped by the ebbing tide, she elded
rapidly between the banks Of the ST. Johns.
Texar and the Ave or six companions who had
embarked with him, had thought well to go below
70 one of the boxes in the dining-room. There.
with throats seasoned to the strongest drinks of
American bars, they tossed off whole glasses of
ein and Bourbon whisky. They indeed a
rough lot, rude in habit and speech. wearing more
leather than cloth, and more accustomed to live
IN the woods than in cities Texar appeared to
have some right of superiority over them. due,
doubtless to the energy or his character as we'll